Means for squaring and closing collapsed cartons



Sept. 16, 1930. H. L. EVANS ET AL- MEANS FOR SQUARING AND CLOSINGCOLLAPSED CAR'I'OIIS Filed Nov. 8, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Vflarzylgfzms i'azgejfifil I ATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1930. H. L. EVANS ET ALIEANS FOR SQUARING AND CLOSING COLLAPSBD CARTOIS Filed Nov. 8. 1929 3Sheets-Sheet 2 a z m w m i W a m a I i e I I m mm .401 w m. 5 .vmBL a a4/ Z e i ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEHARRY L. EVANS AND GEORGE I. HOHL, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOBSTO GABTONING MACHINERY CORPORATION,

POBATION OF NEW JERSEY OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, A COR- ms 1'03 seuanmeAND cnosnve coLLarsEn eazarons Application sled November 8, 1929. serialno. 405,590.

flatly collapsed carton, and thereupon to move the side flaps thereof toclosed position, and-then to close and tuck the closure tuck flapthereof.

The mechanism of this invention is adapt- 5 ed for either independentuse or for ,use in combination with or as a functional part of v an-automatic machine for setting up, filling and closing cartons or boxes.

The invention has for an especial object to i provide novel automaticmechanism adapted to manipulate initially collapsed cartons providedwith side flaps whic when brought into closed relation to an end of thecarton,

overlap one another, while at the same time providing means for movingthe tuck closure flap of such cartons to closed position after theoverlapping side flaps have been folded I to closed position. v

, Other objects of this invention, not at this 30 time more particularlyenumerated, will be fully understood from the following detaileddescription of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown in the,accompanymg drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a plan view of'the novel means for settin up and closingcartons of the kind above re erred to.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of portions of the preliminarycarton flap I folding means, and igure 2A is an end elevation of thecarton as related thereto atone stage of the preliminary flap foldingoperations. a h

Fi re- 3 is a fra mentary plan view of orti% ns of the prelii ninarcarton fla foldmg means;' and'Figure 3 is an en elevation of the cartonas related to the prehnnnary carton flap folding means shown in 50Figure 3.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary lan view similar to that shown in Figure 3 utillustrating the operation of the carton expanding or setting upmechanism in the act of squaring a collapsed carton; and Figure 5 is aview 0 these parts, taken on line 5-5 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on line 6-6 in Figure 1,to illustrate the operation of the initial tuck closure flap foldingmeans.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 77 in Figure 1;Figures 8 and 9 are fra mentary sectional views through the tuck c osureflap folding means at points denot ng the progress of the cartonrelative thereto; and Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, takenon line 10--10 in Figure 1,

showing the means for finally closing. the

width of the carton od so that, when closed, the flap c overlaps the apb) and a foldable closure flap d havin a tuck portion 0 at its free end.Cartons 0 this .type are generally,

made of heavy aper or light cardboard, and furnished by in collapsed orflat form (see Fig.1), with the side flaps and closure flap projectingin unfolded condition from the respective ends of the carton body. Theoperation of raisingthe body a of the carton from initial flat orcollapsed condition to properly setup or,

opened condition-is frequently spokenof by users as squaringthe carton.In the use of such cartons the same are squared and the side and closure[flaps at one end thereof closed preparatory to filling the carton t emanufacturer to the user through the remaining open end. It is the.

operations of squaring and closing the flaps at one end of the cartonthat the mechanism of the present invention is adapted to automaticallycarry on in rapid and eflicient manner.

The novel mechanism of this invention comprises a platfrom 11 over whichthe cartons are moved so as to be subjected to the action of the severalmechanisms and devices making up the squaring and flap folding means. Asupply of fiat or collapsed cartons is supported in a vertical stack(not. shown) at one end of said platform 11, so as to be subject to theoperation of a reciprocable feed plunger 12, the timed reciprocation ofwhich serves to eject the cartons from the bottom of the supply stackthereof, and successively deliver the same to the squaring and foldingmechanism.

Fixed on the platform 11, so as to lie in the path of movement of theflaps to be manipulated, as the carton is advanced by the plunger 12, isa preliminary folder block 13. This folder block 13 presents to theapproaching carton an inclined plane 14, which rises from the surface ofthe platform 11 and extends forwardly and upwardly in the direction ofcarton movement. The inner side or face 15 of said folder block issubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said platform 11 and isparallel to the end of the carton body a from which extend the flaps tobe manipulated.

Vertically reciprocable, through suitable openings provided in theplatform 11, is a carton expanding or squaring device. This deviceconsists in a bifurcate member 16, having at its forward side stop-arms17 and at its rearward side an expander arm 18, of somewhat less height,and having an inwardly facing chamfered upper margin 19. The distancebetween the stop-arms 17 and expander arm 18 is slightly greater thanthe width of the carton body a, when the latter is opened or squared.Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the expanding orsquaring device in timed relation to the movement of the cartons asdelivered by the plunger 12, and as propelled by a conveyer meanssubsequently referred to. Initially the expanding or squaring device ispositioned so that its sto arms 17 project slightly above the level 0the platform 11, while its expander arm 18 is withdrawn below the levelof said platform.

Also fixed on the platform 11 is a second folder block 20, which isaligned with said preliminary folder block 13 but spaced forwardlytherefrom to provide an intermediate gap of a width less than the widthof the carton closure flap 01, and yet sufficiently wide to permit freeturning movement of the side flap 0. The forward end of said secondfolder block 20 is undercut as at 21, to permit the side flap 0 toinitially move thereunder before the carton is squared. The opposedadjoining s aced ends of the preliminary and second older'blocks 13 and20 are approximate- 1y opposite the position of the expanding orsquaring device. The width of the opposed adjoining ends of said folderblocks 13 and 20 approximate the length of the closure flap d exclusiveof its tuck portion 6.

In the operation of the mechanism, as thus far described, a collapsedcarton is ejected by the plunger 12 from the bottom of a supply stackand advanced over the platform 11 until its forward longitudinal sideedge is stopped against the upwardly projecting ends of the stop arms 17of the expanding or squaring device.

As the collapsed carton moves toward the expanding or squaring device,the side flaps c, b and closure flap d will ride up over the inclinedsurface 14 of the preliminary folder block 13, and will, by suchengagement therewith, be thereupon turned upward about the score linesintermediate the same and the carton body a into a plane substantiallyat right angles to the plane of the collapsed body a: of the carton (seeFigures 2 and 2A). In order to prevent uptilting movement of the .cartonbody a, while the flaps are subjected to the up-turning movement of thepreliminary folder block 13, a movable body retaining guide 22 isprovided, which is operatively positioned over the carton body a, whilethe carton is moved toward the expanding or squaring device, but which,by timed actuation, is withdrawn during the carton squaring operation.Said body retaining guide 22, when in operative position, parallels theinner side faces of the folder blocks 13 and 20 so as to engage thecarton body a back of the point from which the flaps to be manipulatedproject. Said body retaining guide is substantially vertical and issupported by an arm.23 from a pivoted actuating lever 24, the latterbeing upwardly off-set by the former so as to provide sufficientclearance for the passing of the up-turned' flaps (see Fig. 2). Theactuating lever 24 is. operated by a cam 25, to produce properly timedin and out service disposition of the body retaining guide. Said cam 25is in turn rotated by a lay shaft 26 driven from a driver shaft 27through sprocket and chain transmission 28. Such driving means, however,is merely illustrative and may be widely varied.

The up-turning of the flaps, as above described, is a necessarypreliminary to certain flap folding sequences as will be subsequentlyexplained, but in addition to this there is a marked advantage in soinitially folding the flaps since it results in a sharp back-folding ofthe closure-flap 03, along the score line joining the same to the bodya, which backfolding sufficiently breaks the fiber of the paper stock atsuch point as to eliminate therefrom undue resiliency or spring, sothat, when the closure-flap d is finally turned to closed position, andits tuck portion tucked within the carton end, tendency illti Hill ofthe closure flap to spring back and out of normal fully closed positionis obviated.

. The collapsed carton isso disposed, relative to the platform 11 andthe expandin or squaring device, that a margin of the un e'rlying facethereof abuts the stop means 17, while the underlyin side, coincident in3 plane with said under ying face, rests above the expander arm 18, thusleaving the overlying side and face disposed so that the former occupiesa forward position relative '-to the latter. With the carton thuspositioned, it follows that upward pressure exerted on the underlyingside will turn the same? about the score line intermediate such side andsaid underlying face, thus lifting the overlying face, and turningupward the over- .lying side about the score line intermediate the sameand the forward margin of said underlying face.

. As the collapsed carton approaches the stop arm 17 the up-turned sideflap 0 will escape from the restraint of the preliminary folder block13, and will swing downward 5 through the gap intermediate folder blocks13 and 20, so that, by the time the carton reaches stopped positionagainst stop-arms 17, said side flap 0 will partially underlie theundercut end 21 of said folder block 20. When the car-ton is thuspositioned the side flap b and closure fla (1 will still remain inupturned position, ing so held by the folder block 13 (see Figures 3 and3A).

As soon as the collapsed carton comes to as rest over the expanding orsquaring device as stopped by the stop arms,17, a transverselreciprocableclam blade 29 istimedtoad vance and enter tween the walls ofthe carton (see Figures'l and 4). This clamp blade 29 is of a widthcorresponding to the underlyin face of the collapsed'ca'rton, and isadapte to overlie such part so as to firmly hold .the same upon theplatform 11 during ,theoperative upward movement of the expending orsquaring device. a As the expanding'or squaring device rises, thechamfered end 19 ofthe expander arm 18 -will turn, up the underlyingside of the carton,whic h infturn, will 11ft the overlying face andlilrewise turn up the overlying side, thus expanding or squaring thecarton (see Fi res4and5).

- f 's the underlying side oft-he carton turns upward. the flap b will.be carried therewith, but while; being thus moved will still beretained by the side-of preliminary folder block '13 in foldedin-turnedposition at right allgles tosaid underlying side, so that, as said sideturns to upstanding position, said flap b will turn into closed positionend of the carton see Figure 5). v

As the overlying side of the carton turns upward the down swung flap 0will be carried I and moved against the inclined surface of the undercute of said second folder block 20,

across the through w "ch the conve er means may opwhereby the same willbe in-folded across the end of the carton, and so that its free end willAs the overlying face of the carton is lifted to raised position, theclosure fla d, which remains up and back turned un er the re-, straintof the inner side of said preliminary folder block 13, finally escapesthe restraint of said folder block 13, and thereupon tends to swing downinto horizontal plane, so as to extend outwardly, over the uppersurfaces of the opposed ends of the folder blocks 13 and20. The outersides of said folder blocks 13 and 20, adjacent to their opposed ends,are preferably angularly undercut as at 30 to provide a sharp creasingedge 30 over which the tuck portion e of the closure flap d may beturned, as well as to provide clearance for in-turning movementsimparted to the latter. down-turning of closure flap (Z is, preferably,positively assisted by the movement thereof against thecurved extremity31 of a/fixed shear rod 32 which overhangs the path of the rising andforwardly moving overlying face of the expandingcarton (see Figures 4and 5).

' Means are provided to turn downward the tuck-portion e of the closureflap at over the creasing ed 30. This means comprises an oscillatablelever ,33 having a folder member 34 carried at one end thereof. Saidlever is fixed on a shaft 33, and the rearward end of said lever 33 ispivoted to a connecting rod The I 35, which is actuated by a race cam 36rotated 1 by said driver shaft 27, whereby properly timed rise and fallof said folder member34 is attained. The folder member 34 is providedwith an angular projection 37 at its upper end, forwardly pro ectingtherefrom.

' When the carton has assumed expanded or squared? condition, the foldermember 34 is timed to descend. In so descending said folder member 34engages and turns'down the tuck ortion 6, while its projection 37overlies the c osure 'flap d (see Figure 6), and remain in such positionwhile the expanding or squaring device is downwardly retracted out ofthe path of the squared carton, and while the clamp blade 29 isretracted, and also while'a conveyer device (tobe described) moves into,engagement with the squared carton.

A reciprocable conveyer means, actuated by suitably timed o eratingmeans (not shown), is moved beneat the squared carton,-rise's into.ropelling enga ementtherewith, and

then is moved rw'ar to carry the same forward along the platform 11.This'conveyer means thus possessing a dicated by the, arrows in igure 7.The platform 11 is rovided with slotted openings 38 erate, and thelatter pre erably com rises a pair of plates 39 havmf upper ortionsadapte brace t e"squar'ed carton.

path of travel as inpockets 40 m their to receive and em- While thesquared carton is operatively engaged by the conveyer means andpropelled forward thereby, the down-turned tuck portion e will becarried into engagement with a guide block 41, which is positioned toextend along and outwardly of the forward end portion of said folderblock 20 over which the closure flap d is moved, whereupon the foldermember 34 may be retracted to normal raised and inactive position.

Said forward end portion of said folder block 20 is gradually cut backor relieved toward its forward extremity to permit of the down-turningof the closure fiap d, and also the guide block 41 is provided with aspiral or cam-like guide surface 42, which engages the tuck-portion eand gradually leads the same, as the closure fiap d is down-turned, to aposition wherein its free end is guided to and enters the open end ofthe carton, as the closure flap d is swung toward said open end to closethe same. The down-turning of the closure flap 0! is effected by meansof a curvilinear guide-rod 43 against which the said flap moves as thecarton is propelled forward by the conveyer. This guide-rod 43 issupported from a bracket arm 44:. The heretofore mentioned shear rod 32serves also to lead the closure flap (:3 beneath the rearward end of theguide-rod 43, as movement of the squared carton by the conveyer means isinitiated.

At the end of the propelling stroke of the conveyer means, the squaredcarton with its closed side flaps b and c and partially closed closureand tuck flap d and e, is brought to rest on the platform 11 opposite afinal end closing means. This latter means comprises a rock-shaft 45,actuated for timed operation through lever to, link 47, and lever 48;said latter lever being fixed on the shaft 33 so as to also be actuatedby the cam 36 and connecting rod 35. Fixed on said rock-shaft 45 arepush-fingers or shutters 4C9, which, when swung toward the end of thecarton opposed thereto at the end of the propelling stroke of theconveyer means, serve to engage the partially closed closure-flap d andits partially entered tuck portion 6 and thereupon thrust the same hometo finally closed position with the tuck portion 6 fully entered intothe carton end.

Upon completion 'of the end closing of the squared carton, in the mannerand by the novel combination and arrangement of means above described,the same is ready to receive the content to be deposited therein throughthe remaining open end thereof.

As already mentioned, the novel carton squaring and end closing means ofthis invention may be utilized as an independent mechanism, from whlchthe set up cartons Y may be taken to be filled by hand or by otherautomatic filling and carton closing mecha nism; or the mechanism may beincorpoalso operate with such cartons even though the side flaps do notoverlap.

.It will also beunderstood that various changes may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of the various parts, as well as in thedetails thereof, without de parting from the scope of the claims herefollowing, and consequently we do not limit ourselves to the exact.combinations and arrangements of the various devices and parts asdescribed in the foregoing specifications,

nor do we confine ourselves to the exact details of construction shownin the accompanying drawings.

1. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosing flaps comprising side flaps and a closure flap, a cartonsquaring means, and folder means to bring said side flaps to closedposition during the operation of said carton squaring means.

2. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosing flaps comprising side flaps and a closure flap, a cartonsquaring means, folder means to bring said side flaps to closed positionduring the operation of said carton squaring means, and additionalfolder means for closing said closure flap after the carton is squared.

3. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosing flaps comprising side flaps and a closure flap, a cartonsquaring means, and folder means to successively bring said side flapsinto .closed position during the operation of said carton squaringmeans.

4. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosin flaps comprising side flaps and a closure fiap, a carton squaringmeans, and folder means to successively bring said side flaps intoclosed position during the operation of said carton squaring means, andadditional folder means for closindg said closure flap after the carton1s square 5. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartonshaving end closing flaps comprising side flaps and a closure flapprovided with a tuck portion, a vertically recip- Eiti rocable cartonsquaring. means, and folder meansto bring said side flaps to closedposition during the operation of said squaring means while at the same.time holding said closure flap' and its tuck portion against obto bringsaid side flaps to closed position the closing movements 0 during theoperation of said squaring means while at thesame time holding saidclosure flap and its tuck portion a ainst obstructing I said side flaps,means to angularly fold said tuck portion relative to said closure flappreparatory to closing movement of the latter, and means to complete theclosing of said closure flap and its tuck portion.

7. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosing flaps comprising side flaps and a closure flap provided with atuck portion, a vertically reciprocable carton squaring'means, foldermeans to bring said side flaps to closed position during the operationof said squaring means while at the same time holding said closure flapand its tuek portion against obstructing the closing movements of saidside flaps, means to angularly fold said tuck portion relative to saidclosure flap preparatory to closing movement of the latter, means forclosing said closure flap, and means to guide said tuck-portion forentrance into the carton end while closing said closure flap.

8. In a mechanism for squaring and clos-' ing collapsed cartons havingend closing flaps comprising-side flaps and a closure flap provided witha tuck portion, a vertically reciprocable carton squaring means, foldermeans to successively bring said side flaps intoclosed position duringthe operation of-said squaring means while at the same time holding saidclosure flap and its tuck-portion against obstructing the closingmovements of said side flaps, means to angularly fold said truck portionrelative to said closure flap preparatory to closing movement of thelatter, means relative to which the squared carton is moved forturningisaid closure flap to closed position and simultaneously guidingits tuck-portion for entrance into the carton end, and means forcompleting the closing of said closure flap.

9. In a mechanism of the kind described, a vertically reciprocablecartonsquaringmeans, means to advance collapsed cartons to said squaringmeans, means engageable by open flaps at an end of a collapsed carton asthe latter moves to said squaring means wherebycertain of said flaps areup-turned and so held during the carton squaring operation, and

means for turning other of said flaps to closed position during thecarton squaring operation.

10. In a' mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons havingend closing flaps comprising overlappingside flaps and a closure flap, avertically reciprocable carton squaring means, means to advancecollapsed cartons to said squaring means, folder means engageable bysaid flaps at an end of the collapsed carton as the latter moves to andis moved by said squaring means, whereby the side and closure flaps areturned into the plane of the carton end and then the forward side flapreleased for return to theplanelof the collapsed carton prior tosquaring of the latj ter', said folder means having a portion to retainthe rearward side flap in the plane'of the carton end during theoperation of said car ton squaring means, said folder means ha anotherportion to turn said forward side flap into the plane of the carton endandin overlapping relation to' said rearward side flap during theoperation of said carton squaring means, and said folder means furtheroperating to hold said closure flap against obstructing the closingmovements of said side flaps during the carton squaring operation.

11. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsedcartons having endclosing flaps comprising overlapping side flaps and a closure flap, avertically reci rocable carton squaring means, means to a vancecollapsed cartons to said squaring means, folder means engageable bysaid flaps at an end of the 001- lapsed carton as the latter moves toand is moved b said squaring means, whereby the side an plane of thecarton end and then the forward side flap released for return to theplane of the collapsed carton prior to squaring of the latter, saidfolder means having a portion to closure flaps are turned into theretain the rearward side flap in, the plane of i the carton end duringthe operation of said carton squaring means, said folder means havinganother portion to turn said forward side flap intothe plane of thecarton end and in overlapping relation to said rearward side flap duringthe operation of said carton squaring means, said folder means furtheroperating to hold said closure flap a ainst obstructing the closingmovements o said side flaps during the carton squaring operation, andadditional folder means for sure flapafter the carton is squared.

12. In a'mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosing flaps comprising overlapping side flaps an a closure flapprovided with a tuck portion, a vertical reciprocable carton squaringclosing the clomeans, means to advance. collapsed cartons engageable bysaid flaps at an end of the collapsed carton as the latter moves to andis moved by said squaring means, whereby the side and closure flaps areturned into E the plane of the carton end and then the forward side flapreleased for return to the plane of the collapsed carton prior tosquaring of the latter, said folder means having a portion to retain therearward side flap in the plane of the carton end during the operationof said carton squaring means, said folder meanshaving another portionto turn said forward side flap into the plane of the cartonend and-inoverlapping relation to said rearward side flap during the operationof'said carton squaring means, said folder means further operating tohold said closure flap and its tuck portion against obstructing theclosing movements of said side flaps during the carton squaringoperation, means to angularly fold said tuck-portion relative to saidclosure flap preparatory to closing movement of the latter, and means tocomplete the closing of said closure flap and its tucli portion.

13. In a mechanism for squaring and closing collapsed cartons having endclosing fla 8 comprising overlapping side flaps and a a osure flapprovided with a tuck portion,

a vertically reciprocable carton squaring means, means to advancecollapsed cartons tolsaid squaring means, a body retaining guidecooperative with collapsed cartons advancing to said squaring means,folder means engageable by said flaps at an end of the collapsed cartonas the latter moves to and is moved by said squaring means, whereby theside and closure flaps are turned into the plane of the carton end andthen the forward side flap released for return to the lane of thecollapsed carton prior to squaring of the latter, said folder meanshav1ng a portion to retain the rearward s1 de flap in the plane of thecarton end during the 4 operation of said carton squaring means, saidfolder means having another portion to turn said forward side flap intothe plane of the carton endand in overlapping relation to said rearwardside flap during the operation of said carton squaring means, saidfolder means further operating to hold said closure flap and its tuckportion against obstructing the closing movements of said side flapsduring the carton squaring operation, means to angularly fold saidtuck-portion relative to said closure flap preparatory to closingmovement of the latter, means for closing said closure flap, and meansto guide said tuck-portion for entrance. into the car- 9 ton and whileclosing said closure flap. 14. In a'mechanism for squaring and closingcollapsed cartons having and closing ,j flaps comprising overlappingside flaps and means, means to advance collapsed cartons to saidsquaring means, a body retaining guide cooperative with collapsedcartons advancing to said squaring means, folder means engageable bysaid flaps at an end of the collapsed carton as the latter moves toandis moved by said s uaring means,

' whereby the side and closure aps are turned into the plane of thecarton end and then the forward side flap released for return to theplane of the collapsed carton prior to squaring of the latter, saidfolder means having a portion to retain the rearward side flap in theplane of the carton end during the operation of said carton squaringmeans, said folder means having-another portion to turn said forwardside flap into the plane of the carton end and in overlapping relationto said rearward side flap during the operation of said carton squaringmeans, said folder means further operating to hold said closure flap andits tuck portion against obstructing the closing movements of said sideflaps during the carton squaring operation, means to angularly fold saidtuck-portion relative to said closure flap preparatory to closingmovement of the latter, means relative to which the squared carton ismoved for turning said closure flap to closed position andsimultaneously guiding its tuck portion for entrance into the cartonend. and means for completing the closing of said closure flap.

In testimony, that we" claim the invention set forth above we havehereunto set our hands this5th day of November, 1929.

HARRY L. EVANS. GEORGE I. HOHL.

a closure flap provided-with a tuck portion,

a vertically reciprocable carton squaring

